HYDERABAD: Day two of the medicos' strike on Tuesday saw several patients admitted at Osmania General Hospital (OGH) crying neglect. With doctors from other government hospitals also joining the protest, many hapless patients were forced to make their way to private hospitals in the city.

Patients complained how even basic medical services such as monitoring blood glucose levels and checking blood pressure levels were not provided till strike was called off on Tuesday evening.

Among those left in the lurch were hundreds of patients who had come from neighbouring districts. "My father, who was recently diagnosed with paraplegia, was admitted 10 days ago at OGH. But since Monday, he has been lying unattended," said Mahbubnagar resident Shiva Narayana, who waited till 4pm on Tuesday, before wheeling his father off to a private hospital in the JNTU area. "Though treatment will be expensive, we have no other choice," Shiva added.

But there were many others who were forced to stay put at OGH due to their financial condition, despite not being attended by even nurses since Monday. "Since doctors from other government hospitals too are on strike, we are simply left to suffer here. Going to a private hospital is not an option as we cannot afford it," said K Padma, whose husband Ramulu has been admitted at OGH with altered renal parameters linked to trauma.

Raju, who suffers from a rare disorder called Rud syndrome, pointed out how he, , has been waiting to receive basic treatment since Monday. "The nurses, who do their rounds in the morning, were nowhere to be seen through the rest of the day. There was nobody to even check if I need more glucose. Since I have a constant bodyache, I requested for any doctor on duty to attend to me but I was told that only the doctor treating me can be consulted. I am in no condition to go to another hospital since I am using a urine drainage bag attached to a catheter," said Raju.

While many patients and relatives who came to the outpatient ward at OGH camped out front, many others were directed to Gandhi hospital. "I had been suffering from high fever and vomiting but was not even allowed to enter the OGH outpatient unit. The guards simply directed me to Gandhi hospital. Thankfully doctors here are treating all patients," said Shanti, who reached Gandhi hospital on Tuesday afternoon.

Medicos, meanwhile, demanded that the medical infrastructure at government hospitals be revamped.

"In spite of working for several hours in a day under difficult circumstances, doctors are not provided any security. Another major issue is the lack of quality infrastructure at OGH. Even basic equipment such as ventilators, ECG machines, BP apparatus and glucometers are not in working condition," said Dr Rohit A, a doctor on strike.